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4am call to boat aground.

Lifeboats News Release

Flint RNLI responded to call from Holyhead coastguard to assist a boat aground on a sandbank with one person aboard.

Flint lifeboat launched at Connahs Quay at 3.45am today to an 18’ boat aground on a sandbank, the sole occupant had requested to be taken off. The lifeboat with four volunteer crew proceeded downriver toward the casualty, progress was slow due to the ebbing tide, on occasions the crew were dragging the boat over through the low water, and the casualty was eventually reached at 4.45am and was successfully transferred to the lifeboat.

 

The return journey was even more difficult, with even less water in the river Connahs Quay was reached at 6pm, the casualty who was cold was landed safely, the lifeboat was recovered using the new tool track tractor, and returned to Flint, where the lifeboat was made ready further service at 8am.

 

Alan Forrester, volunteer lifeboat operations manager said ‘the volunteer crew were fantastic, this was a difficult rescue due to the state of the tide, the tool track vehicle we have at Connahs Quay really was worth its weight in gold launching at low water.

 

 Report from Richard Polden Flint RNLI volunteer press officer, telephone 01352711185 or 07496770576

Notes to editors

  • Flint lifeboat station has been operating since 1966. To learn more about the lifeboat station go to www.rnli.org.uk/flint
  • Flint lifeboat and its volunteer crew have responded to 16 calls to date in 2015 and saved four lives, and assisted seven others.
  • Flint lifeboat and its volunteer crew have responded to 11 calls and saved 1 life to date in 2016
  • Potential lifeboat volunteers, and enquiries regarding the appeal contact Alan Forrester on 07785593247
  • Flint RNLI celebrated its 50th anniversary in May 2016

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RNLI media contacts

Richard Polden, Flint RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 01352711185 or 07496770596 or Danielle Rush, RNLI Media Relations Manager in Wales on 01745585162 or 07786668829 or RNLI Press Office 01202336789.​

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,000 lives.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, X, TikTok and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.

Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.

About the author

Richard Polden
LPO, Flint

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